Kibling homer keeps Ludden softball perfect

As April began to wind down, the Bishop Ludden softball team was still undefeated — and still running past every opponent with relative ease.

Or at least that was the case until Saturday’s game against Tottenville. Three outs from defeat, the Gaelic Knights would come back and pull out a 4-1 victory over the perennial New York City PSAL champions.

Korey Kibling pitched, and blanked Tottenville after giving up a run in the bottom of the first. Still, Ludden trailed, 1-0, when in the top of the seventh it put two runners on base with two out- and Kibling delivered a three-run home run to put her team ahead.

Reeling, Tottonville watched as Grace Rooney singled and Kayla Kibling drove her home with a single for further insurance.

That ended a stretch of three wins in as many days. Hosting Tully last Thursday afternoon, the Gaelic Knights put Rooney in the pitcher’s circle — and kept on rolling as it beat the Black Knights 10-2.

Rooney gave up five hits and single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, but also recorded 11 strikeouts as Ludden took charge with a trio of first-inning runs, then added five runs in the fourth to pull clear.

Korey Kibling supplied the power in the Gaelic Knights’ 11-hit attack with a home run and triple. Rooney and Beth Jerome each had two RBIs as Kristen Ryan, Emily Stott and Kim Balla joined Kibling, driving in one run apiece.

This followed the Gaelic Knights’ 8-1 victory over Onondaga, where Kibling pitched and blanked the Tigers until the seventh inning, giving up just two hits along the way.

All of Ludden’s runs came in the second through fourth innings as Korey Kibling got two RBIs and Kayla Kibling doubled and drove in a run. Rooney also doubled and earned an RBI.

The Gaelic Knights will have back-to-back games against Bishop Grimes Thursday and Friday, placed in between a Monday visit from Port Byron and a Saturday rematch with Tully.